Despite the struggles faced by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the NHL level, there are promising developments within their minor league system. One standout prospect, 23-year-old winger Avery Hayes, who signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins this summer, is showing strong performance with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins. In his last 11 games, Hayes has tallied six goals and 11 points, with 38 shots on goal, and he’s expected to continue improving as the season advances.
Throughout the AHL season, Hayes has accumulated nine goals and 17 points over 23 games, including three game-winning goals. Most recently, he scored a crucial tying goal against the Utica Comets on Saturday, sending the game into overtime, although WBS eventually lost 3-2 in a shootout. Undrafted but determined, Hayes impressed during NHL training camp, staying on until last week and earning his entry-level contract based on last season’s impressive 23 goals, 42 points, and six game-winning goals in 60 games for WBS.
Although Hayes has yet to debut in the NHL, the Penguins’ ongoing difficulties—they are currently enduring an eight-game losing streak—could lead to his call-up sooner rather than later. NHL rosters are frozen until December 28, meaning Pittsburgh can only make emergency recalls from the AHL in the meantime.
The Penguins are clearly at a pivotal moment following a 4-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, marking their eighth straight defeat. Fans and the organization alike will be eager to see what steps the team will take going forward.
Fan Take: Avery Hayes’s rise is a beacon of hope for Penguins fans craving fresh talent and a turnaround. His potential NHL debut could inject new energy into a struggling team and remind hockey fans why nurturing prospects is vital for the sport’s future.
